Celebrating life at Barchester

Residents and staff had a fabulous time celebrating a vibrant Chinese New Year celebration, marked by cultural connection and a special guest appearance by renowned community advocate Faustina Yang.

The home was delighted to welcome Ms. Yang, a multi-award-winning leader and founder of five impactful charities and community groups, including the Chinese community in Peterborough, which recently received the Kings Award for Voluntary Service.

During her visit, Faustina gave a beautiful demonstration of Tai Chi, showcasing the gentle movements and explaining the significant health benefits behind this traditional practice. Residents enjoyed watching the demonstration and were encouraged to try a few movements themselves. Beyond the physical practice, Faustina shared the deep traditions of Chinese New Year, speaking about family gatherings, cultural values, and the festival’s enduring meaning.

The celebration continued with a culinary feast prepared by the home’s kitchen team. Residents and staff enjoyed an authentic menu of Chinese dishes, providing a full sensory experience of the festival.

Stefan Lupu, General Manager at Hampton Grove, said:
"We were truly grateful to welcome Faustina Yang into our care home today. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn more about her culture and heritage. Thank you, Faustina, for bringing culture, joy, and connection to our home. Our residents thoroughly enjoyed the Tai Chi session, and our chef truly outdid themselves with a fantastic spread that brought everyone together."

If ever there was a feeling to box up and hold close forever, it's that of this morning's intergenerational session at Claremont Parkway.

Both the children and residents had so much fun singing and moving along to the music together - pure magic! Reading and sharing books between the young and residents was pure joy to see the interactions. It's a chance for different generations to come together and have fun, with music, reading and a sing-along too. The photo's show the joy on the residents faces, that certainly enjoyed this mornings session.

This week is National Pie week and at Claremont we do not like to miss out on an excuse to have some extra special tasty treats. We have started the week with some scrumptious savoury pies made by our talented chef Dijon.

Our residents had a tough decision deciding which one was their favourite from Chicken & Leek, Steak & Ale or Vegetable. Will tomorrow bring savoury or sweet pies and by the end of the week will we have found the four & twenty blackbirds!
 

Thanks to everyone who took part in our Nutrition and Hydration event hosted by Janeyhfit earlier today. 

With an array of water rich fresh fruits and vegetables to try in chef's home-made hummus dip, yogurt smoothies or infused in water and teas, with the addition of fresh herbs we all found flavoursome ways to stay hydrated all enriched with nature’s own vitamins and healthy sugars.

Jane set everyone a fun quiz that had us all baffled on the percentage of water within different food stuffs. Did you know there’s the same amount of water in strawberries as there is in skimmed milk (91%). 

We all enjoyed learning practical ways to support our wellbeing through good nutrition and staying hydrated. Thank you Janeyhfit for supporting us to start embracing healthier eating habits.
 

It was a very lovely morning for us with our monthly Baby & Toddler group. The residents enjoyed being involved and some had a fantastic time cuddling the beautiful babies and interacting with our visitors.

It brings so much joy to see the little ones and there was a great sense of community spirit seeing the mums and residents chatting and enjoying some great refreshments! 

Our very first exercise class of March here at Chacombe Park Care Home was full of smiles, movement, and motivation! 
A wonderful start to the month as we stretch, strengthen, and support each other to stay active and healthy. 

On Saturday our residents put on their scientist hats and enjoyed some hands-on experiments to celebrate National Science Day!

We explored the magic of static electricity, making our hair stand on its end and disco dance! We watched pepper mysteriously “disappear” with a simple tap of water, plus we had lots of laughs experimenting with our self-inflating, waving gloves!

Resident Barbara said she hadn't done experiments like this since she went to school and that she enjoyed the fun and experimental afternoon. It was a fantastic afternoon full of curiosity, smiles, and a little bit of scientific wonder. Who says science is just for the classroom.

We were delighted to welcome back old friends, members of the community and visiting professionals for our homes 'Eating Well With Dementia' Event. 

Our wonderful Second Chef, Rob, spoke to our guests and shared advice and suggestions to support those living at home with dementia.